Drug Defence Lawyer in Vancouver BC

Are you under investigation for a drug offence?

Drug-related charges are serious offences and can impact your daily life and liberty. If you or a loved one is under investigation for a drug offence, contact us today. 

Vayeghan Litigation is a Vancouver drug defence law firm that takes pride in its record of successfully defending against drug possession and trafficking charges.

Have you been charged for the first time? Call us at 778-327-2565 immediately. Drug cases are complex and sentencing can sometimes be different for first-time offenders.  

Here’s what you need to know about various drug offences, penalties, and the multiple stages of proceedings at which we can put forward a strong case for a “No Criminal Record, No Jail” result.

Types of Drug Offences

Many drug charges in Vancouver relate to the possession and trafficking of fentanyl, heroin, MDMA, and cocaine. On certain occasions, we have seen other drugs such as magic mushrooms, GHB, ketamine, and LSD. 

Drug charges can be of different kinds. Possession with an intent to sell, give, or distribute, and trafficking are the most common charges in Vancouver. Producing or importing / exporting drugs in and out of Canada are also criminal offences and can result in a charge.

An important point to note here is that drug ‘possession’ is a highly technical term according to the law. Here’s what ‘possession’ means according to the law and how this could help you.

What is Drug Possession?

Drug possession, according to the law, requires proof that:

1. the substance is known by the accused person to be an illegal drug, and

2. that the accused person had control of the substance.

This can present several scenarios where while the drug is found on the accused person, it may not be in the person’s possession, from a legal sense. If you believe this applies to your case, give us a call at 778-200-7393.

You may be charged with drug possession if you have someone else’s drugs on you and you know it, or if the drugs are at your home with your knowledge.

That said, when the police seizes drugs from you, we explore the possibility that they may not have done so following the correct procedure. Here’s why this could get your drug charges dismissed.

What is an Illegal Search?

In Canada, you have a set of rights that are guaranteed to you by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. If police officers violate these rights when conducting a search on you, the evidence gathered during this search may be stopped from entering your trial.

At Vayeghan Litigation, we do a thorough review of Crown and police documents and evidence to see if your Charter rights have been violated. If we find that the search may have been illegal, we put forward a pre-trial application. 

We have extensive experience in arguing Charter rights from both sides; the Firm’s founder, Mo Vayeghan, used to be a British Columbia Crown Prosecutor himself. Exclusion of powerful evidence will, in most cases, significantly weaken the Crown’s case, making it difficult for the Crown to reasonably pursue a trial.

While these are two of our many approaches against drug charges, we strongly recommend scheduling a consultation in order to start an aggressive legal defence. 

What happens if I get convicted of a drug charge?

Drug charges are outlined in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). When the Court is determining the length and type of sentence for a drug offence, it takes into account the type and quantity of drug, the purpose of possession, prior records, etc.

Certain drug offences such as trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking, drug production and trade can carry maximum penalties of life imprisonment. Schedule 1 narcotics-related cases carry the highest penalties.

On the other hand, for simple, ‘soft’ drug cases where there are compelling circumstances, such as first-time offenders being caught in a bad situation, it may be possible to get a ‘no criminal record’ result.

To understand what you can expect from your drug charges, Vayeghan Litigation can provide you with specific answers. Mo Vayeghan, our Firm’s founder, will use his background as a former Crown Prosecutor and experience as a leading Vancouver criminal defence lawyer to get you the best result possible.

Contact us for an initial no-obligation consultation

A drug offence conviction can lead to expensive fines, long periods of imprisonment, and a criminal record for the rest of your life. It is important to find a defence lawyer with a proven track record and someone you can rely on.

To understand how best to proceed with your drug offence charges, call us today at 778-200-7393 to set up a no-obligation appointment.